powerless

In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican's foreign minister since 2014, said the Pope was driven to carry on because he knew he had an opportunity to help the powerless.

Right up to his last breath, Francis advocated for the powerless, for those who have so little and yet are villainized by people in positions of authority.

But such emotions can easily fuel hopelessness if people are constantly made aware of new and overwhelming threats that they feel powerless to address.

“I feel sad, defrauded, angry and powerless,” said Maria Hernandez, 50, a longtime Huntington Park resident who attended last week’s court hearing to support the former councilwoman.

Trapped behind bars, the tribal police lieutenant is powerless as he watches his young cousin be taken away by an abusive priest.